The August 7 primary election in Sylvan Township in many ways revolves around the water and sewer system project that left the township more than $13 million in debt ($5 million for a water system, $7.5 million for a sewer system and $1.2 million for unpaid taxes the township owes Washtenaw County. )

Sylvan Township residents will vote on whether the township can levy a 4.4 mill tax for 20 years to pay utility debt and delinquent taxes. That translates into an additional $440 per year in taxes for a house with a taxable value of $100,000.

Incumbent supervisor Bob Lange, an independent, is running unopposed in the primary as is Scott Cooper, a Republican. They will face each other for the position of supervisor in the November election. Lange said that he prefers not to discuss why he decided to run for re-election.

Several candidates who call themselves "The Clean Slate" are running on the Republican ballot, although they identify themselves as bipartisan. They are Douglas Smith, who's running for clerk; Rod Branham, who's running for treasurer; Kurt Koseck and Roy Schmidt, who are both running for trustee.

Smith spoke for all the candidates on the slate and said they are running as Republicans because that's where their opposition is.

"Our main goal is to find a way out of the $13 million debacle by unseating those who were in office when the water and sewer development project began," said Smith. "We'd also like to repair the relationship between the city of Chelsea and the township. Chelsea is part of the puzzle of solving this debt."

Smith is challenging incumbent LuAnn Koch, who has worked as clerk since 1992.

Branham is challenging incumbent treasurer Arlene Grau, who has served in that role for 16 years. Grau says that she wants to seek the position again because she likes it and enjoys helping the people of the township.

Koseck and Schmidt are challenging Republican candidate Reuben Lesser Jr. Jr. The three candidates are vying for two trustee spots.

Running for trustee as a Democrat is Sandra J. Egeler. "I've spent my entire adult life as a governmental accountant, and our township is in great financial distress, and they need someone who understands how government accounting works," she said. "That's the role I hope to fill."

Lisa Carolin is a freelance reporter for AnnArbor.com.